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Conference unifix::sailing

Title:SAILING
Notice:Please read Note 2.* before participating in this conference
Moderator:UNIFIX::BERENS
Created:Wed Jul 01 1992
Last Modified:Mon Jun 02 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2299
Total number of notes:20724

874.0. "Kit Boats vs Production Boats" by UNIVSE::BAHLIN () Thu Jun 23 1988 19:11

    Any interest in discussing the pros and cons of 'kit' boats.  This
    could be any combination of parts only, hull, hull and deck etc.....
    
    I'm interested in two areas;  final cost of a partial versus production
    boat and opportunities for a more customized interior and rig by
    doing the 'finish' work myself.
    
    I suspect you may not save any money going this route but you might
    end up with something much closer to your own needs than you do
    by buying a production boat.  When I look at production boats in
    the 28-32 foot range they all same to feel the need to sleep 16
    (or some other large number) at the expense of more reasonable storage
    and comfort considerations for the person wanting accomadations
    for two (with sometimes four).
    
    In matters of rig I have to believe it is cheaper to buy the correct
    size the first time as opposed to taking what you get then modifying
    after things begin to break.  
    
    Any thoughts, experiences.......
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
874.1Modify, not createAKOV12::DJOHNSTONThu Jun 23 1988 19:3923
    While I have absolutely no experience in kit boats, I have been
    involved in extensive modification work on both interiors and rigs.
    You are right, you will not only not save money, but unless you
    are very, very careful it is easy to overspend in the name of
    perfection.  
    
    In the size range you are talking I would recommend taking a look
    at the used boat market (which should allow you to get a great deal)
    and pick up a boat with the hull you like.  At that point you can
    rip out the interior and do to it what what you want.  You may also
    find a few existing amenities you like.
    
    As for the rig, it is not something you would need to modify right
    away unless you were going on an extended cruise, assuming the hull
    you bought was of a quality manufacturer.
    
    The point is that this option will probably get you sailing faster
    than doing a kit.  Lots of kits get sold incomplete at great loss
    just out of frustration of the time involved.  Good luck whatever
    you decide.
    
    Dave
874.2Tough DecisionCASV02::THOMAS_EFri Jun 24 1988 14:5814
    see 113 for previous discussion
    
    We were looking at doing a kit and ended up buying a used Sea Sprite
    we saw in the yard down at the Ryder plant. 
    
    you might check some of Ferenc Mate's books. One, "From A Bare hull",
    walks you through the process and another, "Best Boats", will point you
    to some good builders. I spoke with Tom Morris (up on Mt. Desert sp?) a
    couple times aboutm what would be available from his shop. 
    
    Not an easy decision....
    
    Ed
874.3consider used over kitsNHL::SCHLEGELThu Jun 30 1988 13:108
    in response to kit boats, years ago kits were very cost effective,
    but at today's hectic use of time, I agree with Dave Johnston, in
    this soft market, theremust be an affordable used boat close to
    what you are looking for.  It is much easier, and probably cheaper
    to adpt a boat than start from a kit.  You wouldn't believe the
    details that have already been done for you. schlegel
874.4Thx - looking for used nowUNIVSE::BAHLINThu Jul 14 1988 13:3623
    Thanks for the replies.  They all confirmed my hesitation about
    going this route.  I'm finding that many (hundreds) of used boats
    fit my budget and needs.
    
    The biggest problems I've encountered in the used boat market are;
    lack of knowledge about the vintage boats, sifting through the choices
    to find locally available candidates.
    
    I'm looking at boats >10 years old and get fuzzy on who built what,
    with what quality level when I go back to that era.  Many builders
    have expired or changed hands in the last 10 years.  This wouldn't
    be so bad if there was a 'used boat lot'.  
    
    I have noticed that sources like Soundings are full of multiple
    entries for the same boat.  Sometimes there is obviously an ad that
    has been made to look like it is from an individual but when you
    look closely you find that the tel # is really a broker and that
    broker has the same boat listed on a seperate page.  Some other
    broker also has it listed...........
    
    Oh well, driving up and down the coast poking in boat yards has its 
    good points.  If only Boston wasn't in the middle of my search area...
874.5vanilla is a safer buySTRSHP::SCHUMANNThu Jul 14 1988 20:2815
>    I'm looking at boats >10 years old and get fuzzy on who built what,
>    with what quality level when I go back to that era.  Many builders
>    have expired or changed hands in the last 10 years.  This wouldn't
>    be so bad if there was a 'used boat lot'.  
    
A warning on looking for bargains: boats are notoriously hard to sell.
The more off-brand or uncommon the boat is, the harder it will be to sell.
A good time to think about selling your boat is when you are buying it.
Unless you are certain that you will keep the boat for a long time, it may
be a good idea to pay a little more and buy a boat that is fairly
common and highly respected in your area. Later on, if you decide to move
up (or move out-of-state!) it will be easier to get rid of the thing.

--RS